Langara PLUS Brochure

social & cultural events • recreational activities • lifestyle workshops • study skills workshops

For your academic, career, and life success!

The Langara PLUS Program.

To be competitive both academically and professionally, students need more than just a high GPA – they need to be well-rounded with a variety of experiences that facilitate them in getting a job upon graduation. Langara PLUS offers those experiences. The Langara PLUS Program is a special program developed especially for international students at Langara.

The Langara PLUS Program aims to: • improve your social and interpersonal skills • develop your intercultural awareness • improve your physical fitness • enhance your application to university • maximize your opportunity for success

Langara PLUS features four categories of activities offered through the college: 1. Lifestyle Workshops 2. Recreational Activities 3. Study Skills Workshops

Through the Langara PLUS Program students can participate in a variety of workshops and events organized through the International Education (IE) Office and other departments at Langara College. These activities provide students with academic support, as well as recreational and social opportunities.

4. Social & Cultural Events

All workshops and events attended are recorded in the Langara PLUS Passport. You accumulate points towards a bronze, silver, or gold Langara PLUS Statement of Achievement.

• Co-operative Education

The IE Department provides a wide variety of workshops and activities by creating joint partnerships with various departments at Langara: • Langara Student Union • Counselling • Professional Photo-Imaging • Athletics & Intramurals • Nursing • Writing Centre • Library • Asia Studies

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Langara students (like you!) volunteer their time to help organize these social and cultural activities and events.

To the right are examples of Real Social Networking activities and events that are part of the Langara PLUS program.

Real Social Networking LIFESTYLE WORKSHOPS New to Vancouver: Find out what’s available for you in this wonderful city! You’ll get lots of good information and valuable resources.

Come with questions and leave with endless possibilities for a great experience in Vancouver. n ) Finding Volunteer Opportunities: Learn about how you can get some local experience by volunteering. We discuss the benefits of volunteering, where you can volunteer, and how to get started.n ) u Creative Gift Giving Ideas: Learn about gift-giving in Canada on a student’s budget – what is appreciated and appropriate. Get some great ideas and resources! n ) Finding Housing in Vancouver: Learn about the types of housing in Vancouver, things to consider when choosing a location, how to find a place, questions to ask before making a decision and what to do once you make the move! n ) Immigration Regulations and Your Studies in Canada: A representative from Citizenship & Immigration Canada provides you with information and answer questions about your Study Permit and future opportunities. n ) u Living on a Student’s Budget: Get useful tips on how to manage your money and to budget for the semester! n )

Job Search: Presented in collaboration with the Co-operative Education Department.

This two-part workshop is especially designed to give you practical information and some tools necessary to look for a job in Canada. n ) u Digital Photography: In this interactive workshop, Langara’s Photo Lab Technician teaches you the essentials of outdoor portrait photography. You have a chance to practice what you’ve learned as you head outside to take some pictures! p ) RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Drop-in Sports (eg: Badminton, Basketball, Soccer): Join other students in a variety of sports at the Langara gym. Organized by the i-Sport Committee. p l) Langara Falcons Game: Cheer on the Langara Falcons as they compete against other college teams! p n ) i-Yoga: Try out one of the most popular exercises in the city – yoga! It’s good for everyone and it helps you relax and build strength. p n l) i-Sport Activities (eg: Bowling, Indoor Rock-Climbing, Skating): Meet other students as you venture out and participate in some fun activities. This is organized by the i-Sport committee. p n l )

Learning Outcomes p Social skills

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Cultural awareness

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Physical fitness

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Communication

u Career development

STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS Time Management: Learn tips on managing your time for the semester and how to budget time for classes, studying and leisure activities. Topics such as procrastination, attitudes toward studying and study tips are also discussed. ) u Effective Notetaking: Learn a variety of strategies for taking good notes. There is a discussion on how our memory system takes in information and how effective note taking can facilitate the learning process and improve your grades. ) u Career Planning: Techniques of exploring one’s career interests as well as potential careers will be discussed. A number of exercises will be provided. This workshop also uses the Internet for career planning and exploration. ) u Stress Management: Are you stressed?

You’re not alone! Come and learn about the factors that cause stress, and about how you can reduce and manage the stress in your life. This workshop also includes relaxation exercises. ) u Final Exams & Test-taking: Learn how to deal with stress and exam anxiety, as well as specific techniques for taking multiple choice, true and false and essay-type exams.

Learn tips for writing exams in a variety of subjects including Math, Science and the Social Sciences. )

SOCIAL & CULTURAL EVENTS i-Café: Meet other students, learn about different cultures, play some games, and enjoy free coffee and cookies. p n ) Holiday Potluck: A potluck is a sharing of food! Come share your favourite food item and enjoy a holiday gathering with other international students. p n ) Special Dinner with a Canadian Family: Meet a Canadian family and enjoy a holiday dinner at their home with other international students. p n ) Halloween Pumpkin Carving: Join us for a fun afternoon of pumpkin carving in preparation for Halloween, a popular holiday in North America. p n ) i-Dinner (eg: Japanese, Mexican, African, French…): Here’s your chance to try foods from different parts of the world and meet other students. Organized by the i-Dinner committee. p n ) i-Explore Activities (eg: Museums, Walking tours, Aquarium). Meet other students as you explore Vancouver and visit some famous attractions. This is organized by the i-Explore committee. p n l ) Lunar New Year Event: See a Lion Dance performance, and participate in the festivities, including games, activities, entertainment and food! p n )

What do I get out of it?

Upon completion of the Langara PLUS Program, you are awarded a Statement of Achievement. In addition, you will be issued a letter that outlines the number of events and workshops you have attended.

These documents may enhance your application for academic advancement and employment.

There are three levels of Langara PLUS:

Bronze = 30 Langara PLUS Points Silver = 45 Langara PLUS Points Gold = 60 Langara PLUS Points

The appropriate coloured seal (bronze, silver or gold) will be added to your Statement of Achievement with an indication of the number of workshops and activities you participated in.

GUIDELINES

To qualify for a Statement of Achievement, you must: • Attend a sufficient number of workshops or activities and have facilitators sign your passport, • Participate in at least one activity/workshop from each of the following categories: 1) Lifestyle Workshops; 2) Recreational Activities; 3) Social & Cultural Events; and • Attend a minimum of three Study Skills Workshops (once you are in the University Transfer or Career program).

During your last semester at Langara College, bring your Langara PLUS passport to the International Education Office (A107) so that a Statement of Achievement, indicating the level you achieved in the Langara PLUS Program, can be issued.

LANGARA PLUS STEPS 1. Apply for a Langara PLUS Passport in the IE Office (A107) as soon as you arrive at Langara.

2. Participate in workshops and events advertised by the International Education Department.

3. Fill your Langara PLUS Passport by having the facilitators of the workshop or event sign your passport.

4. Return your Langara PLUS Passport during your final semester at Langara and receive a ‘Statement of Achievement’!

Over 1000 international students have signed up for the Langara PLUS Program, and you should too!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and get the most out of your experience at Langara by getting involved in Langara PLUS!

“I have been able to thrive academically after transferring to UBC. Social events gave me an opportunity to connect with other international students and Canadian families, and learn about their lifestyles. This was essential for me to adapt to this new setting. Lifestyle workshops helped build up my knowledge about the city, how to move around, what are the available resources. I have also learned how to find a volunteer opportunity and how to get involved in community. The Langara PLUS knowledge and experiences have become a part of me and my lifestyle today.�

Yi (Carol) Guan (China)

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE Langara College A Building, Room A107 100 West 49th Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA V5Y 2Z6